Ranking the top ten traditions in The Masters Tournament history

It’s Thursday morning. It’s early in Augusta, with the morning dew still tipping the perfectly manicured grass. This year, two of the sport’s greatest legends, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, will be announced as past champions, before officially opening the tournament with their ceremonial tee shots.

It’s a tradition that began all the way back in 1954. That year, Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod, both winners of the Senior PGA Championship when it was held at Augusta, began playing “ceremonial” rounds, then withdrawing from the event. In 1963, they became the first “honorary starters” in Masters history, and they held that honor until 1973 and 1976, respectively.

After a five-year hiatus, that mantle was resumed in 1981 by Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen, with Sam Snead joining in 1984. Sarazen, the 1935 Masters champion, held that honor until 1999. Nelson (1937 and 1942) remained until 2001, with Snead (1949, 52, 54) staying on until his passing in 2002.

After another respectful waiting period, the King himself, Arnold Palmer, was invited by then-Chairman Billy Payne to revive the tradition once again in 2007. The Golden Bear joined in 2010, and Player completed the “Big Three” once again in 2012.

Mr. Palmer attended the tournament in 2016, but he was unable to participate with an injured shoulder. Unfortunately, that would prove to be the last time we would see him grace the Masters opening tee. While we shed tears for the loss of one of golf’s greats, we look forward to seeing Nicklaus and Player carry on the tradition for many years to come. It’s that connection between the past and present that makes the Masters so great.